Cash and Child Protection

This paper examines the links between cash transfers and the positive and negative outcomes for children – in particular, the role cash transfers have played in protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. The paper’s aim is to identify ways in which cash transfer activities could be designed to support the protection of children affected by emergencies. There is encouraging evidence of the positive impact of cash transfers on children from education, health, poverty and HIV and AIDS programs in developing countries. Many child protection concerns are brought about by poverty and a lack of resources, and this situation is exacerbated in chronic emergency and fragile state contexts. Therefore, cash injections should be a valuable tool for preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children. Staff in all sectors should remain mindful of the potential risks to children from cash transfers, and put in place mechanisms to protect them from harm.

The Women's Refugee Commission co-authored this report for the Child Protection in Crisis Network